Can the ketogenic diet help kids with bipolar disorder? We are excited to announce new research is finally exploring this question.

The ketogenic diet was first discovered over 100 years ago for children with epilepsy. Could ketogenic therapy also improve mental health outcomes for youth with serious conditions like bipolar disorder? Dr. Kirk Nylen joins Dr. Bret Scher to discuss two groundbreaking studies underway that are tackling this question head-on.

In this episode, they dive into:

🔬 The Child and Adolescent Bipolar Network (CABIN) study – a multi-site RCT testing ketogenic therapy in pediatric bipolar disorder

🏥 Children’s Mental Health Resource Center (CMHRC) study – A real-world pilot study exploring the practical application of ketogenic interventions for kids with bipolar

🛠️ How data emerging from these studies could add new tools to clinicians' toolboxes

As the youth mental health epidemic continues to rise, we must continue to pursue better solutions. We are hopeful that this research will not only expand treatment options but also inspire more pediatric clinicians to consider the powerful role ketogenic therapy can play in improving mental health outcomes for children.

Expert Featured:

Dr. Kirk Nylen, PhD

Managing Director of Neuroscience as Baszucki Group

Resources Mentioned

Children’s Mental Health Resource Center

• https://cmhrc.org

CMEs Mentioned

Managing Major Mental Illness with Dietary Change: The New Science of Hope

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/managing-major-mental-illness-with-dietary-change-9616

Brain Energy: The Metabolic Theory of Mental Illness

• https://www.mycme.com/courses/brain-energy-the-metabolic-theory-of-mental-illness-9615

Follow our channel for more information and education from Bret Scher, MD, FACC, including interviews with leading experts in Metabolic Psychiatry.

Learn more about metabolic psychiatry and find helpful resources at https://metabolicmind.org/

About us:Metabolic Mind is a non-profit initiative of Baszucki Group working to transform the study and treatment of mental disorders by exploring the connection between metabolism and brain health. We leverage the science of metabolic psychiatry and personal stories to offer education, community, and hope to people struggling with mental health challenges and those who care for them.

Our channel is for informational purposes only. We are not providing individual or group medical or healthcare advice nor establishing a provider-patient relationship. Many of the interventions we discuss can have dramatic or potentially dangerous effects if done without proper supervision. Consult your healthcare provider before changing your lifestyle or medications.

Timestamps:

• 0:00 - Introduction to ketogenic interventions for pediatrics and Kirk Nylen, PhD.
• 2:17 - The history of ketogenic therapies in pediatrics. How safe are ketogenic therapies for children?
• 6:37 - Bipolar study on children: background of the Child Bipolar Network study. How are they testing and what are they looking for?
• 10:11 - How does the Children’s Mental Health Resource Center address the gaps in pediatric bipolar research?
• 13:25 - Summary of the state of research on ketogenic therapies for bipolar in children and what questions remain.